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STAND-L.A. Statement on Momentous CalGEM Oil and Gas Setback Draft Rule

10/22/2021

2 Comments

 
Yesterday, the California Geologic Energy Management Agency (CalGEM) issued a momentous draft rule banning the permitting of oil and gas wells within 3,200 ft of homes, schools, hospitals, and detention centers. The draft rule promises to set into motion a directive made by Governor Newsom almost two years ago to take action on the issue of neighborhood oil and gas extraction. 

Los Angeles is home to the largest urban oil field in the United States. Due to decades of redlining, environmental racism, and indifference of elected officials, the majority of these oil fields are concentrated in low-income Black and Latinx communities from South Los Angeles to Wilmington. This rule is an important development to protect the over 200,000 Angelenos that live within half a mile (2,500 feet) of oil drilling.

“Wilmington residents have lived with the dangerous health impacts of oil drilling for far too long. The Governor’s announcement regarding the CALGEM rulemaking shows us that the Newsom administration is listening to us,” said Wendy Miranda, Wilmington Community Member, Communities for a Better Environment. “We need the Governor and his team to strengthen this rule. And at the same time we need local elected officials in the City of Los Angeles to address hundreds of wells in our neighborhood not covered by the draft rule -- and to finally approve their own proposal to comprehensively phase out oil drilling in our City.  Countless frontline environmental justice communities have been waiting -- and organizing -- for years. Whether it’s at LA City Hall or in Sacramento, we will continue to organize until policies protecting our neighborhoods from big oil become law." 

“Today’s announcement represents years of work by environmental justice advocates to put public health first after over a century of prioritizing oil company profits above health and safety. Governor Newsom and his administration are now listening to the front line communities and health professionals who have borne the burden of proving harm from oil extraction,” said Martha Dina Arguello, executive director of PSR-LA. “The Governor’s leadership should spark the Los Angeles City Council into action, to pass a motion before the end of 2021 to phase out oil drilling across the city. We know there is no safe distance for oil and gas drilling, and until we phase out all drilling, our communities will continue to be at risk from day-to-day operations and the continuous threat of catastrophic accidents like we saw in Orange County."

“For generations, the health and quality of life of low-income BIPOC communities have been compromised for the profit of oil industries. We've worked with South Los Angeles community leaders for years, building a large-scale grassroots movement that centers their experiences with the collective vision of completely phasing out oil drilling,” said Gloria Medina, executive director of SCOPE. “Today's announcement is an important first step towards holding oil industries accountable by building a standard setback for oil drilling sites. We commend the Governor's decision to prioritize frontline communities. We are hopeful that California will continue to work towards an equitable and just transition that centers the voices of low-income BIPOC communities.”
​

 You can find the full text of the draft rule here. 

2 Comments

STAND-L.A. Statement on Huntington Beach Oil Spill

10/14/2021

5 Comments

 
Earlier this month, a pipeline owned by Houston-based oil and gas company Amplify Energy Corp. ruptured, spilling up to 144,000 gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Huntington Beach, CA.  The spill has infiltrated various wetlands and ecological reserves, threatening the habitat of sea life and sea birds alike. The full extent of the ecological damage won't be known for another couple of weeks. In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Orange County to assist with cleanup efforts. The county’s board of supervisors also declared a local emergency on Tuesday.

In response to the disaster, Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling (STAND-L.A.) released the following statement:

“This disaster is yet another example of the dangers of both on-shore and off-shore oil extraction. While we applaud the urgency of the state and county government response to this catastrophe, low-income Black and Brown communities have been made to wait years for action from state and local officials to address the public health emergency of oil drilling in neighborhoods like South LA and Wilmington. This spill puts in relief what was already clear to frontline communities: the end of the fossil fuel era can’t arrive fast enough. We are encouraged by the bold action of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last month to move to phase out oil drilling in unincorporated areas, and we urge city, state, and federal officials to move as quickly as possible to end oil drilling, full-stop. "
​
5 Comments

    STAND-L.A. is an environmental justice coalition of community groups that seek to end neighborhood drilling to protect the health and safety of Angelenos on the front lines of urban oil extraction. ​

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  • Campaign Updates
  • About Us
    • Our Supporters
  • Neighborhood Drilling
    • History of Oil in Los Angeles
    • LA County >
      • The Problem
      • The Harm
      • The Solution
    • Health and Safety >
      • Drill Sites in LA >
        • Jefferson
        • Murphy
        • AllenCo
        • Wilmington
        • Inglewood
        • Porter Ranch
        • Echo Park Wells
        • South Broadway Drill Site
        • Pico Blvd. Drill Sites
      • What Doctors Have to Say
      • STANDForJustice
  • Community Resources
    • Take Action
    • Research & Reports
    • STAND-LA in the News
    • STAND-LA Blog
  • Contact